When you visit your dentist for a dental exam and cleaning twice a year, the hope is that you don’t have any dental issues, such as tooth decay or gum disease. However, if your dentist spots a cavity in your mouth, you will need to come back to your dentist’s office for a dental filling. Fortunately, dental fillings are an extremely common procedure that can usually be completed in an hour or so. Here’s everything you need to know about dental fillings.
What Are Dental Fillings?
If you get into a car accident and your car sustains some damage, you take it into the shop to get repaired. A dental filling is a repair job for a tooth that has sustained damage. If you have chipped or cracked your tooth or have a cavity caused by tooth decay, your dentist will place a dental filling into your tooth to seal the affected area. A dental filling aims to prevent further damage to your tooth while restoring its function, shape, and size.
What Are the Different Types of Dental Fillings?
Although dental fillings are extremely common, dentists still use many different types to restore your tooth and help you maintain your oral health. At Shiflett Family Dental, we primarily use tooth-colored, composite fillings, but the different types of dental fillings are as follows:
Silver amalgam – This type of filling has been used for almost 200 years and is extremely common. Because it is strong, durable, and relatively inexpensive, dentists have had continued success with silver amalgam fillings. One drawback to silver amalgam fillings is that they are dark in color and are not very aesthetically pleasing. They can also expand and contract, so they could cause your tooth to crack if they expand, and they can allow bacteria to get underneath them and cause further decay if they contract.
Composite – This type of filling is made of plastic and resin; your dentist will use a curing light to harden the filling material after placing it in the affected area. Because composite fillings can be matched to your natural tooth color, they are much more aesthetically pleasing, making them our primary choice at Shiflett Family Dental.
Ceramic – This type of filling is made of porcelain so that it will look good for a long time. Even though ceramic fillings, also known as inlays or onlays, can be matched to your natural tooth color and are stain resistant, they tend to be more expensive than composite fillings. They can also break more easily than some other types of dental fillings.
Ionomer glass – This type of filling is made from glass and acrylic and is often used on children’s teeth. Because they produce fluoride, they can protect your teeth but are not as strong or durable as composite fillings.
The Dental Fillings Procedure
When you visit Shiflett Family Dental for a dental filling, our goal is to make you comfortable and put your mind at ease. The dental filling procedure should be simple and painless; here is what we will do to fix your affected tooth:
1. First, we will administer a local anesthetic to numb the tooth receiving the dental filling. We will check to be sure you cannot feel anything in that area.
2. The next step is preparing your tooth for the dental filling. We will remove the damaged parts of your tooth before cleaning the area to remove any debris or bacteria.
3. The filling material is then added to the area to fill the cavity.
4. Then, we use a special bonding light to harden the composite filling.
5. Finally, we will polish your tooth and check your bite to ensure everything feels normal.
Dental Fillings Maintenance and Care
If you take good care of your new dental filling, you can expect it to last for many years. Here is what you can do to maintain and care for your new dental filling:
- Practice good oral hygiene – Clean your dental filling like you clean all your teeth. You should brush your teeth twice a day and floss your teeth daily. Also, use mouthwash to kill bacteria and help prevent further cavities.
- Eat and drink properly – It’s important not to eat too many sugary foods or consume drinks containing sugar because the bacteria in your mouth will break down those sugars and cause them to become acidic. This acid is what causes tooth decay, making more dental fillings a possibility.
- Avoid hard foods and objects – To protect your dental filling, it’s best not to chew on hard candy, ice, pens, or your fingernails. This could cause your dental filling to crack or fall out.
- Keep your regular dental appointments – Visiting your dentist for routine exams and dental cleanings is essential. During these appointments, your dentist can ensure your dental filling looks good.
- Pay attention to any changes – If you notice that your dental filling is cracked, or if it breaks or falls out, call your dentist immediately. We can schedule an emergency appointment or advise you on what steps to take until you can come into our dental office for treatment.
Do You Need Dental Fillings in Columbus, OH?
If you need a dentist in Columbus, OH, or any of the surrounding areas, including Clintonville, Worthington, Upper Arlington, Grandview Heights, Lewis Center, Hilliard, or the Ohio State University district, Shiflett Family Dental wants to hear from you! Our top priority is your oral health, so please call our dental office at (614) 364-4919.